Bands, Gigs & Industry Gossip

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Wednesday, 19 May 2010

>> I'm loving this new "Blog It" Safari plugin. It truthfully makes my blogging life much easier. Henceforth, look what I've found when googling for some free music by multi-instrumentalist Catherine A.D.

Friday, 05 March 2010

>> Admittedly, for many of us this glorifying New-York-talk has become a bit hackneyed by now. Especially after the self-titled film, which - by the way - is quite witty and, despite its eventually somewhat cliché Hollywood cast, still carries has an indie touch. Nevertheless, the myth of New York and its delicate arts scene lives on in bands like...

The reviews I've read so far have been quite... controversial, ranging from "just a likeable, percussion heavy, funk jam with plenty of cowbells and little hand clapping"(Culturedeluxe.com) and "Listen to Rare Earth's Get Ready and Shuggie Otis's Inspiration Information and you'll hear much of what's attempted here done many, many times better"(Chris Power, BBC.com) to

"sounding like the hits of the last fifty years just went through a successful session of 'Will it Blend?', the Phenomenal Handclap Band puts on a live show not to be missed. It was almost mesmerizing enough to make us forget the conspicuous absence of handclaps."(Baeblemusic.com).

Like I said before, NYC has always been known for its outstanding, sometimes outrageous, but definitely offbeat musicians. Reading through these contrasting reviews made me even more curious what the Brooklyn-based octet will be like LIVE.

The crux of the matter lies within this crazy cocktail of post-psychodelic Rock elements mixed with Funk & folky bits and boobs. Pretty gripping. Tomorrow night's certainly going to be unique in some form or another.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010

>> Thanks to Broken Social Scene's spheric baroque-pop tunes I've actually managed to wake up from hibernation and grab my daily cup of black coffee, leaving no chance for that notorious, small voice à la 'OMG. It's past 11am and I haven't published anything yet' to step in.

I've just recently starting listening more intensely to Arts & Crafts' vanguard musical collective, although B.S.S. have been in business since 1999. Particularly, World Sick ("Forgiveness Rock Record", available 4/5/2010) is a tune one cannot escape from.

Multifarious, dramatic, sublime - just like this week's upcoming sounds including major Brit-Rock talent with Trail (supported by The Grand), our current chart toppers The Courteeners, The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band's outlandish, mesmerism, addictive Jazz-Punk sounds by Noisettes, or guitar legend Steve Howe live on stage!

All live in Liverpool. All in the limelight. Here are this week's must-go events:

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

After having spent several tiring hours in TWO libraries today, my brain is severely damaged for the next 24 hours. Attention spam? 5min or less. Shocking how much four weeks of laziness can do to oneself.

However, there's a positive site to my incapability of intaking anymore slighty narcissistic essay material written by Mr. Simon F****. I've got a 'legitimate' excuse to go to the Masque on Thursday (tomorrow) night and watch the Newcastle-rockers

After their first two releases 'Rivers and Rainbows' (b-side 'Silver') and 'Sunshine People' in March 2009, the band has now allocated a free download link to their latest single 'Black & White' from the new EP 'Kiss The Sun' (out 1st March 2010)- a pretty laid back, folky, slowhand tune with smooth organ and Big-Beat-esque drum arrangements.

Quite an elusive sound. At first sight it sets one back in a 1970s-jazzy, tranquille atmosphere, but during the bridge, just before the last chorus, one gets pulled back into today's electro-lined zeitgeist with accurately timed, syncopated rhythms and synthesised background effects.